Kevin Thomson out for Scots and Boro with broken leg

Thomson faces two months on the sidelines and will miss Scotland's opening four Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic and Spain.

The 2million summer signing from Rangers, who endured two ruptured cruciate ligaments early in his career, fractured the fibula in his right leg in his second competitive appearance for Boro.

The 26-year-old, who played for Scotland in last week's 3-0 friendly defeat in Sweden, is due to see a specialist to determine the best course of rehab but his club confirmed an operation would not be needed on the undisplaced fracture. Boro manager Gordon Strachan said: "It's bad news for the player and a big loss too for the team because he has been our best passer in the first two league games.

"I was hoping Kevin would be all right, but you can tell when someone's seriously hurt. That's two stretchers in two weeks because we lost Willo Flood long-term last week. We've not had much luck with injuries in my time here."

Thomson was injured after an accidental clash with former Hearts captain Robbie Neilson, who expressed his sympathy for his fellow Scot. "The ball broke to me at the edge of the box and I made an attempt to hit it but Thommo came in to block," said Neilson. "I had hoped Kevin had suffered only bruising to the shin, so it's a downer to hear it's a fracture. I even went on to their bus after the game to see how he was and he wasn't too bad at that stage. I didn't feel anything at the tackle. It was just one of those things that happen. It's a real shame for Kevin, especially as he has only played two games for his new club."